ABC News reports this morning that Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with troops in Baghdad this morning, in part to discuss their concerns over a government shutdown. After joking that the best policy is to make sure the folks with the guns get paid first, Gates then told the men and women on the front lines that they neednt worry. After studying the issue, Gates says they will get paid if the budget runs out tomorrow for a week:

Speaking to a group of 200 soldiers in Baghdad, Defense Secretary Gates drew Army cheers of Hooah from the crowd when he eased their concerns about the government shutdown and said first of all, let me say you will be paid.

Gatess comment came during a question and answer session when one of the soldiers about how the government shutdown might affect them. He then joked, as a historian it always occurred to me the smart thing for government was always to pay the guys with guns first.

Turning serious he explained to them how if there is a government shutdown, days the troops in the field would get half a paycheck for this pay period, but get back pay in the future.

Gates, along with Patreus..and for that matter the Chief of Staff...needs to go!

They are ALL nothing but shills and political animals for the clueless, fascist, Dear Leader who is using our brave Warriors as pawns in this matter, not to mention, ALL are personally responsible for implementing and enforcing the IDIOTIC and DEADLY "Rules of Engagement!"

In the article it explained they really won’t get paid...the “for a week” part only means that before the shutdown there was a week on the books for the next payday.

The problem with the shutdown, IMO, is the press. If this is twisted and turned and laid at the feet of the GOP (which you know they will try to do)...bad news all around because people just believe what they hear and they’ll think it’s the GOP denying the troops their pay.

If the active military is going to be cut off, that means disabled military will also be stopped. This combat disabled vet is more than happy to go without a check during the shutdown if it means fixing this nonsense!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We are ‘accomplishing’ nothing in any of the places we are currently engaged. The only thing we have done since Bush 41, is to stop the Muslims from killing each other. 9/11 is over and I cannot point to a single thing to say, “There! We paid them back!”

But for US jumping in the middle of every Muslim skirmish in the world, they would be well on their way to killing each other off by now. And what’s wrong with that?

Muslims don’t have, “Rules of Engagement”. Their only rule is to kill, any way, any body, and any time they can.

If we have a GOAL in all this, then what is it?

If we have a GOAL, then let’s do it and get the hell out of there.

If we do not have a defined GOAL, then why are we there?

If we are not ‘playing to WIN’, then why play at all.

Pray for our troops. They need it now and always.

18
posted on 04/07/2011 10:20:52 AM PDT
by 240B
(he is doing everything he said he wouldn't and not doing what he said he would)

Samuel Adams: If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

20
posted on 04/07/2011 1:48:41 PM PDT
by GailA
(2012 rally cry DEMOCRATS and RINOS are BAD for the USA!)

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